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About this project

Alan Entwistle is a published author and former music journalist with Record Mirror. As a film-maker Alan has written and directed about a dozen short films, screened variously at Cannes, Edinburgh and on TV.

In 2005, Alan's wife, Karen, went into premature labour after developing an infection called Strep B. She gave birth to Jack 16 weeks too early on January 3rd 2005, in St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester.

When he was born, Alan and Karen were told that Jack only had a 40per cent chance of survival. He weighed just 1lb 6oz and was the size of a man’s hand. Jack spent five months in Neo-natal Intensive Care, but the rollercoaster continued for 18 months and Jack was christened in the Summer of 2006.

Looking back over this experience, Alan began developing this unique true story into a movie, completing the feature length screenplay over the next 4 years.

“The question for me wasn't so much 'should I make this film' - but 'when'?"

In August 2011, Alan created the promotional trailer (featured above) in one weekend at the cost of just £600. The trailer was then 'premiered' at one of the North West’s biggest cinemas, the Odeon, in Manchester’s Printworks, in October 2011.

As a result, 24weekers received media attention and, over the following four months, was featured in local medial, radio and on national television.

We've also gained a fantastic following of people from all over the world on our Facebook page and Twitter page. Many of these are parents who have experienced prematurity, miscarriage and infant loss; some of our followers are even 24weekers or micro-preemies themselves, now grown into wonderful adults... But they all agree on one thing... This movie has to be made!

24weekers is the first feature-length film brought to you by Alan Entwistle.

The film takes place in the heart of the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit of a typical English hospital. A black comedy, the film will confront issues of mortality and sanity within this testing environment.

The film is currently in pre-production and is listed on IMDb. Principal photography is set to commence in early 2013 and we plan to take the finished product to the Cannes Film Festival in late May 2013.

We are currently putting together a fantastic team of cast & crew for 24weekers. We have a great casting director, Lee Mountjoy, on board and our cast is growing every day - everyone looking at the script wants to be involved!

You will be seeing many familiar faces from UK TV screens in 24weekers, such as our leading lady, Kate Coogan (Hollyoaks, The Royal, Emmerdale, Cold Feet and A Touch of Frost), Steve Huison (The Full Monty, Coronation Street, The Royal) and Amber Hodgkiss (Bedlam, Hollyoaks, Grange Hill); and a selection of some of the UK's great talents from the stage.

UPDATE #1: New Cast Member Announcement

We can now officially announce a new member to our cast... Stuart Wells

Stuart is best recognised for his role as Michael Caffrey in the hit movie Billy Elliot and his regular role as Charlie Webster in the tv series Peak Practice.

Stuart left his acting career temporarily for a few years to serve in the British Army and completed three operational tours, including two of Iraq. But is returning to acting and has agreed to take on the role of Enrique, the handsome doctor in 24weekers.

We are very much looking forward to Stuart joining the cast.

Stuart himself was born prematurely at just 27weeks gestation.
Stuart said, "It's such an honour and a privilege to be part of such a wonderful production that so many people can relate to. I was born at 27 weeks myself so this production will be so close to mine and my family's hearts."

If you find yourselves impressed with the trailer above made for just £600, imagine what we could produce with £94,000!

It will be a highly visual and dramatic movie, but principals and heads of department on the movie will be paid via a profit share once the movie is sold worldwide…

This approach has enabled us to reduce the budget dramatically to an amount that will cover the technical elements of making the film: location fees, travel, accommodation, equipment hire, props, wardrobe, catering, insurance, legal & admin and post-production.

This means we can make our amazing feature movie of 24weekers in early 2013!

Your pledges will be so gratefully received, so we have put together a fantastic selection of unique perks, at a variety of financial levels to suit every pocket. Please take a look at the list to the right for the full details.

UPDATE #2: New Reward Announcement!

We have an exciting new reward to add to our list, courtesy of composer Chris Davis!

Chris has kindly offered to give three backers the chance to sit in on a soundtrack recording/mixing session!

Chris has extensive experience composing for film, stage, TV, game, instrumental and choral; so you'll be in very good, talented hands!
You can listen to examples of his work at his website www.soundcloud.com/christofrdavis

This has now been added to our Rewards list at the pledge amount of £125

UPDATE #3: New Reward Announcement!

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

We have today added another fantastic reward to our list for backers to choose!

Get In On The Act!... Appear as an extra in some key scenes of our feature movie alongside top cast of film & TV stars! We have a limited 200 places at the fantastic pledge price of £25!

NOTE: Filming will be in North West of England. We will confirm date & Location at least 7 days prior to filming. Own transport must be arranged. Catering will be provided. You must be aged 18 or over.

Please click the green 'Back This Project' button at the top right of this page to pledge by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

If you would like to pledge with a UK debit card by PayPal, please click the button below.

To ensure we comply with Kickstarter's guidelines, these funds will be held by an independent party and pledged towards the Kickstarter total. Should the target not be achieved, all pledges received through PayPal will be refunded in full to backers on 12th December 2012.

We understand that some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn't mean you can’t help!

As well as raising the funding, we also want to raise awareness for our movie!

You can help us to get the word out and make some noise about our campaign!

Remember to use the Kickstarter share tools for your social media pages!

Our fate is in your hands!

We only receive the money from Kickstarter if our campaign is successful and we reach our target. We sincerely hope that we will achieve our target, and if so, we will be making all the necessary arrangements for the movie to be made in the first quarter of 2013! We then plan to screen the full finished movie at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2013, with the intention of securing distribution for it.

If all our hard work is rewarded, you will be seeing 24weekers on a screen near you by the end of 2013!

What if the target isn't met?

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again"

Find Out More!

Risks and challenges

We will be identifying and mitigating our risks and challenges on a weekly basis during preproduction; then daily during production itself. We have assembled a highly professional cast and crew with many years previous experience in film productions; we have a lawyer on board; and our production will be fully insured. The director and line producer have between them 20 years experience of film production and will be hosting weekly detailed planning meetings with all heads of department, commencing two months before production starts; these will continue daily throughout production. These meetings will focus on planning, scheduling, predicting risks and challenges, and working together to mitigate and plan for these.

We are appointing a highly skilled and professional cast & crew. All traditional film production head of department roles will be filled on this production - no cutbacks on these crucial roles will be made. This is to ensure a professional and efficient schedule will be maintained.

FAQ

Yes! But unfortunately not via Kickstarter - the system only accepts payments by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

If you wish to make a pledge and only have a switch or maestro card available to use, please email raechel@24weekers.com and we will arrange an alternative method for you... And you will still receive the reward you want from the list.

Rewards

£1 reward

Shout Out!.. We have a fantastic following on our Social Media pages and we'll give you a shout out of thanks on our Facebook & Twitter walls!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2012

You selected

£10 reward

22 backers

Wall of Fame... As well as the 'Shout Out' on our Social Media pages, your name will be listed forever on our Wall of Fame on the 24weekers website! You will be eternally remembered as a fan of 24weekers - someone who helped to make this happen!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2012

You selected

£15 reward

5 backers

Super Social Media... THE package to have for all the Social Media enthusiasts out there! Your Shout Out and Listing on the Wall of Fame will also feature your photo and your chosen social media or website link!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2012

You selected

£20 reward

11 backers
Limited (289 left of 300)

A Handful of Thanks... What could possibly be nicer than a handwritten thank you note from a member of the 24weekers team... The fact that it is on an original limited edition 24weekers postcard - soon to become a collectors item! And not only that! You will also get the Super Social Media Package!
That's a lot of thank yous!

Estimated delivery:Dec 2012

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

£25 reward

5 backers

The Story So Far... Originally featured as a very popular blog on our Facebook Page, '24weekers - The Story' is being enhanced with never-seen-before chapters as a Special Family Edition, where the whole family shares their journey.
This will be published as an eBook and you can be in-line to receive one of the first copies, months before general release!
You will also get the Super Social Media package!
You can view a glimpse of the first five chapters by clicking on the image of the book on the left.

Estimated delivery:Dec 2012

You selected

£25 reward

2 backers
Limited (198 left of 200)

Get In On The Act!... Appear as an extra in some key scenes of our feature movie alongside top cast of film & TV stars! We have a limited 200 places at the fantastic pledge price of £25! NOTE: Filming will be in North West of England. We will confirm date & Location at least 7 days prior to filming. Own transport must be arranged. Catering will be provided. You must be aged 18 or over.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

£35 reward

0 backers
Limited (200 left of 200)

Your Baby on Screen... This is an opportunity for a number of preemie children to appear in the final scene of the film. If your baby is an Angel, and you would like a sibling to represent them in the scene, we will provide them with a balloon to represent your Angel. NOTE: Each child must be accompanied by one adult. You must be willing to travel to the North West of England for filming. Filming will take place at a weekend. Location details and date will be provided 7 days in advance. Own transport must be arranged.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

You selected

£50 reward

4 backers
Limited (146 left of 150)

Picture This!.. In addition to the fabulous Super Social Media package, you will also receive a limited edition photo still from the finished film! Soon to become a collectors item, we're sure!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

£75 reward

1 backer
Limited (149 left of 150)

In Fashion... For some, a film logo T-shirt is a collectors item... For others it's a fashion statement... For us, it's a reward!
You will receive an exclusive 24weekers On Location T-shirt and also the Super Social Media package! NOTE: We will contact you within 7 days of the campaign ending to confirm which size T-shirt you would like.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

£100 reward

2 backers
Limited (123 left of 125)

In the Frame... This is not just a limited edition photo still from the finished film... This is a signed, framed, limited edition photo still from the finished film!
A true collectors item!
This package also includes the Super Social Media package

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

£125 reward

1 backer
All gone!

Forever In Credit... In the end credits of our film, we would love to include either Your name; Or Your Baby's Name & date of birth (if born before 27weeks gestations) or Your Angel's Name and date of birth.
You will also receive the Super Social Media package, but there will be a special designated area on our Wall of Fame for you.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

£125 reward

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

The Sound of 24weekers... Composer Chris Davis has kindly offered to give three backers the chance to sit in on a soundtrack recording/mixing session! Chris has extensive experience composing for film, stage, TV, game, instrumental and choral; so you'll be in very good, talented hands! This reward also includes the In Fashion Package - An exclusive 24weekers On Location T-shirt! NOTE: We will contact you within 7 days of the campaign ending to confirm which size T-shirt you would like.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

You selected

£125 reward

1 backer
Limited (124 left of 125)

Forever In Credit IMPROVED PACKAGE!... In the end credits of our film, we would love to include either Your name; Or Your Baby's name & date of birth (born before 27weeks gestation) or your Angel's name & date(s). This reward also now includes the In Fashion package - an exclusive 24weekers On Location T-shirt! NOTE: We will contact you within 7 days of the campaign ending to confirm which size T-shirt you would like.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

£1,500 reward

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

Super Star Package... Ever wanted to be in a movie? Is it on your 'bucket list'? Well, now is your chance! We are offering non-speaking roles in the film to just 3 lucky contributors!
Not only that... You can bring a guest with you and you will both also be taken to dinner with the director and some of the cast! We will also provide return transport from anywhere in the UK to the filming location.
But! It doesn't end there! You will also receive the In Credit package, which includes an exclusive 24weekers On Location T-shirt! What a great opportunity! NOTE: Filming will take place at a weekend. Location details and date will be provided 7 days in advance. We will contact you within 7 days of the campaign ending to confirm which size T-shirt you would like.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2013

Funding period

Oct 31, 2012 - Dec 12, 2012
(42 days)

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